Nau Mai Piki Mai Newsletter of NZFMC

Please enjoy reading the national newsletter which has content about our work in Tairawhiti http://www.nzfmc.org.nz/assets/Uploads/Documents/NZFMC-Newsletter-Nau-Mai-Piki-Mai-Issue-2-Sep2013.pdf

Pacific Island Homework Support Program

Kia Ora Everyone Tomorrow evening from 6pm to 8pm at the weekly Pacific Islands homework support programme at EIT Tairawhiti Campus; we will be having Pizza shout for the students and their families. We will be putting on light supper for students, volunteers and families. Please do come along and celebrate 9 weeks of this programme(one whole term) Could not have been possible without dedication of people such as Lillian, Sue, Tiana, Maria,Manu, John, Vijen, Karen, Valerie, Ivan and many others Thanks Arish

Tairawhiti to host National Meeting of Multicultural Councils

NZFMC National Council Meeting - Gisborne The next national council meeting of NZFMC will be held in Gisborne from Friday 8th November 2013 to Sunday 10th November 2013 at the Te Poho O Rawiri Marae, Kaiti Gisborne This meeting will be hosted by Tarawhiti Multicultural Council For further information, please contact: NZFMC Secretary Alexis Lewgor National Secretary: Alexis LewGor PH: (07) 348-1762 MOBILE: 029-773-0269 EMAIL: nzfmcsecretary@gmail.com or President Tayo Agunlejika Phone: 04 916 9177 or 021 029 55148 EMAIL: president@nzfmc.org.nz www.nzfmc.org.nz For local enquiries please contact President, Arish Naresh or Secretary Hans Van Kregten at diversetairawhiti@gmail.com

Tairawhiti Interfaith Network Messages

At our monthly meeting the Interfaith group has decided to hold prayer meetings for the Week of Prayer for World Peace 13th – 20th of October. Tuesday October 15th, - 12:15 7 Victoria Street, 7th Day Adventist Church Wednesday October 16th, 1:00 – 1:30 Holy Trinity Church, Derby Street Thursday October 17th, 12:15 Botanical Gardens (meet at the Australian Gardens Roebuck Road end of the Park) Come along and join us in prayers for the peace of the world. We will be using the pamphlet and your personal thoughts and Prayers/Scriptural readings. Bob Hughes has agreed to write an article for the paper on our plans for that week. We hope that you will be able to participate in this event. John Giffin

MEDIA RELEASE 20/09/2013

TAIRAWHITI MULTICULTURAL COUNCIL MEDIA RELEASE 20/09/13 DIVERSITY IS AN ASSET TO TAIRĀWHITI Local body election candidates have been quizzed by the newly formed Tairawhiti Multicultural Council about their views on cultural diversity. Council Chairman Arish Naresh says that all candidates are open to different ethnicities living in Tairawhiti. This is great. “The many cultures present in Tairawhiti add to the social, cultural and economic capital of this region and should be celebrated.” The responses of some candidates, such as Manu Caddie and Selwyn Parata reflected their involvement with multicultural communities and contained more detailed views on the benefits and issues of multiculturalism.” The survey showed that most candidates were open to dialogue regarding establishment of support for cultural groups. Brian Wilson suggested that greater engagement is needed with ethnic communities. Rehette Stoltz’s suggested the need for a “go to organisation” such as TMC for new migrants to create linkages with settled migrants. Arish Naresh says that this is one task the Tairawhiti Multicultural Council is keen to take on, but it would need resources to deliver this. Many candidates mentioned having different cultural dishes as part of celebrating diversity. “Culinary diversity adds spice to life, but the benefits of multiculturalism goes beyond food and dances”, Arish Naresh says. Migrants across New Zealand contribute greatly to economic growth of New Zealand. It provides local communities with global perspectives and contacts, which provides potential economic capital. In Tairawhiti and nationally many sectors of the economy including, hospitals and service industries rely heavily on the migrant workforce.” Many candidates have highlighted that there need to be more jobs to attract migrants to Gisborne. They also recognise there is a need for jobs for current migrants and locals. “The voters really would like to see an action plan on how jobs will be created not just for migrants but for people of all races, religions and cultures across Tairawhiti. A clear strategy to deliver jobs has not been provided by any candidate” Arish Naresh says. The Tairawhiti Multicultural Council does not believe in promoting any particular candidate. It is here to work with the people to achieve the best for everyone that live in our beautiful region. Detailed responses can be viewed at the Tairawhiti Multicultural Council’s website: http://tairawhitimulticulturalcouncil.blogspot.co.nz/ For queries and clarifications contact: Arish Naresh- President Tairawhiti Multicultural Council Ph.: 0226248145 Email: diversetairawhiti@gmail.com

Responses from Tutekawa Wyllie

Cultural diversity begins at home. Understanding myself helps me to try to understand others. At the heart is my culture of which language is the cornerstone. I try to understand others as I understand myself The GDC effort to appreciating culture diversity starts with tangata whenua. This is a bicultural nation which provides the foundation upon which cultural diversity should build a future. From there the building blocks I have worked and visited many countries, particularly Asia. I try to learn some basic language and customs of each. I took a basic course in Mandarin language and learn that trying is appreciated . Maori and Asian cultures place the family at the heart of the culture There will always be challenges in a community that essentially converses in English only. The global village we live in requires us all to learn at least one other language. My experience is Maori should speak their own language and learn at least the basics of Mandarin The biggest opportunities are in business built upon the fundamentals of family culture and succession planning. Money is simply a means to an end. There is no end as long as there is family

Responses from Alan Hall

I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT CULTURAL DIVERSITY SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED. DIVERSITY MEANS THAT OUR COMMUNITY BENEFITS FROM THE MIX OF CULTURES HERE, FOR EXAMPLE IN CULTURAL ACTIVITIES, IN CUISINE, AND IT MAKES FOR A MORE INTERESTING COMMUNITY FOR ALL. 2this largely depends on what T. M. C would like. A discussion with the Community service people at the council would be a first step. 3Ihave contact with Maori and when I was a solicitor frequent contact with the local pacific island community. My wife, Pamela and I are frequent visitors to Just thai andPreet INDIAN RESTAURANTS. 4 We are A SMALLTOWN REALLY AND some may have difficulty fitting in, because of their small numbers 5 I strongly believe that N.Z should increase the annual number of refugees permitted so that more come to the regions . There must be work for them here of course. The welcome from their own culture group is important too. Thanks for inviting me to participate in the questions. Allan Hall